Gertrud Vonnahme, 1896 Obituary

VONNAHME, EHRICH

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 7/16/2005 at 12:13:54

I translated the following obituary from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published on Friday, 21 February 1896. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Gertrud Vonnahme
(Sent from Mt. Carmel)

Last Monday evening at 8:00, Mrs. Gertrud Vonnahme, whose maiden name was Ehrich, died at the age of 51 years, after receiving Last Rights.

The burial took place Thursday at about 10:00 a.m. in our cemetery. Reverend Father Lührsmann conducted a solemn requiem for the soul of the deceased. People were present from near and far in order to pay their last respects to the dearly departed. It was one of the largest funerals that there ever was here.

The deceased came to America from the old fatherland in 1868, and in the same year married Mr. Bernard Vonnahme. In 1871, they moved to Carroll County and onto the place where they lived until now. The marriage was blessed with 10 children, four of whom, however, predeceased their dear mother. In 1887, their only daughter made the decision to renounce worldly things, and she was accepted into the Franciscan Order in the convent at La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 1888, Mr. and Mrs. Vonnahme adopted an orphan girl, who now also mourns the difficult loss of her foster-mother. One brother, Mr. Anton Ehrich, who now lives near Danbury, Woodbury County, Iowa, three sisters, and the family, were around the death bed when the dear wife, mother and sister gave over her soul into the hands of her Creator.

The good woman had been sick for about three months, and everything possible was done in order to restore the health of the dear wife and mother. Various capable doctors were called in for advice, but the dear Lord had decided otherwise. About a week ago, the family realized what a sad end awaited, and when they realized that death could come at any hour, they surrendered patiently to the will of God. Our deepest sympathies to the bereaved. May she rest in peace.